JoAnn M. Schall

      JoAnn M. Schall
     JoAnn Schall, the ORIGINAL JoAnn’s, was born on December 4th, 1948, and passed away on February 16th, 2025, in Lansing, Michigan. Adopted by the loving Schmit family, JoAnn was raised in Cuyahoga County, Ohio where she lived as a spirited, wild woman. Though she had many foster brothers and sisters, none held a special place in her heart like her big sister, Elieen. The two shared countless phone calls filled with laughter and cackles—sometimes nearly every day.
     JoAnn's love for horses, her close bond with Elieen and her mischievous curiosity filled her days with adventure until June 11, 1966, when she was finally tamed by the charming Dale Schall. Together, they welcomed their firstborn, Alvin Dale Schall, on February 14th, 1967,—a birthday gift that Dale would treasure forever. Their family grew with the arrival of sweet baby girl Kimberly Schall on June 14th, 1969, to whom JoAnn passed on all her sewing expertise.
     The Schall family of four eventually made their home in Ovid, Michigan, where JoAnn continued to live out her days sewing herself into frenzy. She built a successful home business, Heart-N-Hand, where she offered sewing lessons, machine repairs, custom quilts, and even sold fabric by the roomful. Her business kept her busy, but she was always ready to speak her mind—after all, JoAnn was never one to shy away from being outspoken.
     To sum up JoAnn would be no easy feat, but above all, she was creative, generous, stoic, and sassy as hell. She lived her life unapologetically, with a deep love for her family and her craft.
     JoAnn is survived by her two children: Al and Kim; her six grandchildren: Levi, Zach, Brishelle, Casey, Brianna, and Chelsea; her 15 great-grandchildren; her beloved sister, Eileen; Nieces Lori, Sharron, Karren, and nephew Gary; and her ever-annoying puppy, Frannie. She joins her husband of 50 years, Dale Schall, in eternal peace.
     JoAnn surrounded herself with people who truly loved her, and in our hearts, she will forever be at her sewing machine or sipping coffee in the living room while reading an Amish novel. A celebration of life will be announced later in the year. In true JoAnn fashion, she would tell you to keep your donations and get yourself something nice.
     Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Houghton Chapel, Ovid, Michigan.